Demographics Examples

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General Paper: Demographics Demographics are the most recent statistical characteristics of a population, usually a nation/country. Some commonly examined demographics include gender, race, age, fertility rate etc. TOPIC EXAMPLES
In 2010, the total fertility rate in Singapore is 1.15, daunting task for Singapore to boost it to replacement rate of 2.1 births. Competitive nature of Singapore’s economy  Higher stress levels and a decreased work-life balance.  High supply (i.e. Manpower/Human resource/ Graduates) and low demand (i.e. Number of jobs etc) - Especially in China  Women are increasingly getting high posts in the companies, thus having less time to spend with her spouse at home. High cost of living  Increasing miscellaneous costs due to inflation.  Monthly cost of sending a child to government school in 2012 is estimated to be around S$300 for primary education, S$450 for secondary education and S$650 for junior college education. Changing attitudes towards marriage & family  In the past, people get marriage very early at the average of 20 years old. However, more people are now getting marriage at their 30s.  The proportion of singles among the resident population increased from 30% in 2000 to 32% in 2010. Population policies  In 1966, Singapore set up the Singapore Family Planning and Population Board to plan and control population growth.  1970s: Stop At Two.  1980s: Have Two or More if You Can Afford It.  2000s: Baby Bonus Scheme.

HOW IT LINKS TO SINGAPORE *(OPTIONAL)
A survey conducted by Durex found that the average Japanese couple has sex 45 times a year, less than half global average of 103 times.

Consequently, most do not have the time nor energy to devote to starting a family.

Low Fertility Rate (Reasons + Current Measures)

Influence would-be parents’ decision of how many children to have since it is so expensive to raise a child in Singapore.

This problem is attributed to shift away from traditional prioritisations of marriage. Besides, youth Singaporeans today are empowered by education and financial freedom, prefer to develop their career before starting a family. - Social norm for almost all families in Singapore.

Reduce population growth to zero  Reverse fertility trends  Boost fertility and prevent population decline (vital for continued economic growth).

Current Measures (Parenthood Incentives)  Maternity Leave - 16 weeks of paid maternity leave if her child is a Singapore Citizen.  Baby bonus scheme - 1st and 2nd child each: Up to SGD 4000 - 3rd and 4th child each: Up to SGD 6000 Enhanced Childcare Leave - 6 days of paid leave per year per parent until the child turns 7. New Infant Care Leave - 6 days of unpaid leave per year per parent until the child turns 2. Parenthood Tax Rebate - offset income tax payable - Up to SGD 5,000 for the 1st child, up to SGD 10,000 for 2nd child and up to SGD 20,000 for the 3rd and every subsequent child. Attract parents to consider giving more children by giving incentives to them.

  

Currently, Singapore has one of the highest Old-Age Support Ratios.  Now: 7.9 working adults (15-64 yrs) supporting 1 dependent elderly (65 & above).  Aim by 2030: 3.5 working adults supporting 1 dependent elderly.

Other ageing population:  Japan – 2.1 working adults : 1 dependent elderly (world’s largest conc. Of elderly at 23% of total population)  Bulgaria – 4 working adults : 1 dependent elderly

Ageing Population (Effects + Problems)

Ageing gracefully  Pressurise government to increase spending on health and social programmes.  Tax base shrinks as the economically active population shrinks  government finances shrink  higher income tax rates incurred (3%  7% GST incurred).  Lack of human resources  no choice but to raise retirement age [aim to increase from 62 to 65 yrs, and even to 67 in the future].  In Japan, more than one fifth of population is over 65. - Men’s lifespan: 79.6 years - Women’s lifespan: 86.4 years

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Thrive in Denmark & Sweden  Best places in the world to grow old  Elderly are more willing to stay at home than to stay at nursing home.  Elderly are more capable in attending their own needs.  Long-term care facilities: Homey, intimate environment where quality of life is paramount.  Lack of social status, respect and support for home-care workers  labour shortage in this sector. Singapore’s health campaign for elderly  Elderly are educated about the importance of managing a proper diet, regular exercise and health checks.  Improvement in medical sciences, e.g. heart attack  solution: coronary bypass surgery  healthcare of elderly being well taken care of.  Medisave accounts / Medishield etc Elderly-friendly facilities  Ramps & railings in many residential estates.  In Japan, the government’s expenditure on elderly welfare increases every year.  In Canada, elderly are given heavily subsidised or even free transportation nowadays.  Increase in market of ‘silver-industry’ to produce products specially catered to elderly.

Compare with ageing population in Singapore. Is it really possible for Singaporeans to age with optimism?

Other countries  In US, there is a focus on tourism for the elderly as travel agencies conjure special holiday packages exclusively for the elderly to warmer countries during winter holidays as most of the seniors detest the cold weather.

Compare with the past. How much improvement that the world has done to improve the welfare of elderly over the past few years?

Problems faced  Depression is rampant among seniors and numbers have increased as compared to the past.  According to recent study by the World Health Organisation (WHO), it shows that 1 out of 5 seniors suffering from 2nd degree depression commits suicide.

Reasons  Negligence of elderly by families  due to long working hours of family members  Thus, government has come up with familyfriendly policies such as organising family picnics and even establishing commemorative events to celebrate the contribution of these seniors.

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